LETTER: Don't allow Fall River to keep missing out

Growing up in the north end of Fall River in the 1940s and ’50s provided me with a tremendous exposure to a wealth of recreational activities; there was swimming and handball at Bliffin’s and Bessie’s beaches, softball at North Park, ice skating at Aaron’s, the Mill and the Stump ponds.

The Herald News, Fall River, MA

Writer

Posted Nov. 4, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Nov 4, 2012 at 4:00 AM

Posted Nov. 4, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Nov 4, 2012 at 4:00 AM

» Social News

Growing up in the north end of Fall River in the 1940s and ’50s provided me with a tremendous exposure to a wealth of recreational activities; there was swimming and handball at Bliffin’s and Bessie’s beaches, softball at North Park, ice skating at Aaron’s, the Mill and the Stump ponds.

There was horseback riding over the reservation and plenty of fields and woods to explore. Many of those sites are long gone but the joy of good times remains vivid and will always be cherished. I’d like my grandchildren to experience similar opportunities in Fall River.

Today there are no outdoor skating ponds; Fall River has no beaches, no bowling facilities and no movie theatres. Fortunately there is the Driscoll rink for indoor ice-skating and a pool at Lafayette Park and at the Thomas Chew Boys & Girls Club for swimming.

If you are wondering where I am heading with this nostalgia please consider the following: In 2000, Gov. Paul Celluci signed the Community Preservation Act that allowed cities and towns to create a local dedicated fund for open space, historic preservation, community housing and outdoor recreation projects. Over the years, 148 cities and towns have adopted the Community Preservation Act including Swansea, Dighton, Westport, Cambridge, Dartmouth and Quincy.

2. an annual disbursement from the statewide CPA Trust Fund that comes from fees collected at all Registry of Deeds.

Since Fall River has not yet adopted the Community Preservation Act, our community has not been the recipient of any funds from the statewide CPA Trust Fund. Let me assure you that those 148 cities and towns that did adopt the CPA certainly have reaped millions and millions of dollars. I’d like Fall River to receive the same benefits as those 148 cities and towns and address historic preservation, community housing and outdoor-recreational enhancement for our citizens.

Several years ago a grant to improve North Park had to be given back because Fall River didn’t have the $72,930 to match the grant. CPA funds could be used to match millions in additional state and federal grants, depending on the grant program. CPA funds could also address multiple other needs such as building rehabilitation, tombstone and landscaping issues at Oak Grove Cemetery and other city-owned cemeteries.

Success stories utilizing CPA funds.

1. Newton-restoration of stonework and masonry at city-owned Civil War Monument

2. Plymouth-restoration of their historic town bell first cast by Paul Revere in 1801

3. Cohasset-rehabilitation of library into affordable housing units for seniors

4. Agawam-development of a new park, ball fields, senior citizen areas and a bike path

Visit www.communitypreservation.org to learn more about how community preservation act funding can help Fall River and what it has allowed other communities to achieve.

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Fall River never budgets for amenities because it never has enough resources. Adopting the Community Preservation Act would help to address that lack of funding.